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Marxists Revolutionaries Split
Marxists revolutionaries desagree over revolutionary tactics. The more radical Bolsheviks are ready to risk everything.The charismatic Vladimir Lenin becomes the leader. -
The Russo Japanese War
In the late 1800s, Russia and Japan competed for control of Korea and Manchuria. The two nations signed a series of agreements over territories, but Russia broke them. Japan attacked the Russians at Port Arthur, Manchuria. Russians losses sparked unrest at home and led to a revolt in the Midwest. -
Bloody Sunday
About 200,000 workers and their families approached the czar’s winter palace in St. Petersburg. They carried a petition asking for better working conditions, more personal freedom, and an elected national legislature. A lot of strikes and violence spread across the country. This eventually led to Duma. -
First Duma
The first Duma met in May 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. But he was hesitant to share his power. Therefor the czar dissolved the Duma after 10 weeks. -
World War I
Nicolas led them into World War I. Russia was unprepared and wasn’t ready for the German Army. More than one million people were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. His wife took over the government and she made it seem weak by letting Rasputin make decisions. -
Textile Strike
Soldiers decided to side with protesters after a while. 200,000 workers in the riot over shortages of bread and fuel. Nicolas was forced to step down. Revolutionaries executed him and his family. -
Government Fails
Armed factory workers stormed the winter palace. They called themselves the Bolshevik Red guards. They took over government offices. Lenin ordered all peasants to divide the farmland and gave factory workers permission to run the factories. Also made truce with Germany to stop the fighting. -
The Treaty of Brest
Litovsk was formed in March of 1918. The treaty was consisting of Russia and Germany. Germany signed the treaty, but lost land. -
Civil War Raged
Leon Trotsky, expertly commanded the Bolshevik Red Army. Civil War broke out in Russia and other Western nations. The U.S. sent military aid and supplies to Russia to help the white Army, although they weren’t much help. -
The NEP is Made
Lenin resorted to a small scale version of capitalism called New Economic Policy. This allowed peasants to sell surplus crops instead of giving it to the government. This lets small shops and industries to be under private ownership. -
USSR
Lenin organized Russia into several self-governing republics under the central government. In 1922, the country was named Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This is in honor of the people and councils that helped in starting the Bolshevik Revolution.
